Iran's nuclear activities come under UN watchdog scrutiny

Euronews

Decision time for the UN as its nuclear watchdog, the International Atomic Energy Agency, opens discussions today on a report into Iran’s nuclear programme. Today’s crucial meeting in Vienna of the IAEA is expected to accuse Iran of taking the first steps towards producing bomb material.

It is also likely to confirm its decision taken in early February to refer Iran to the UN’s Security Council. US Ambassador to the UN, John Bolton:” The Iran regime must be made aware .that if it continues down the path of international isolation, there will be tangible and painful consequences”. The Ambassador went on to say, “The longer we wait to confront the threat Iran imposes, the harder and more intractable it will be become to solve”
But Iran has dismissed international calls to stop its nuclear research. It has also vowed to resume industrial-scale uranium enrichment programme which it says is for peaceful purposes. Iran’s chief nuclear negotiator, Ali Larinjani has warned the IAEA not to treat his country harshly.
He repeated Iran had a legitimate right to nuclear research and that any referral to the security council would benefit no one.
In Tehran on the eve of the IAEA meeting, demonstrators made a human chain round a model of nuclear facilities to show their readiness to defend them.